Titus

Paul was apparently into control, as we see here in his letter to Titus. He was trying, it seems, to wrap up some loose ends, and make sure the life of this fellow's church would be orderly and stable. I have nothing against stability and order, but I think some of Paul's thoughts on how to achieve this were rather objectionable.

Tit 1:5,6 - I left you behind in Crete for this reason, so that you should put in order what remained to be done, and should appoint elders in every town, as I directed you: someone who is blameless, married only once, whose children are believers, not accused of debauchery and not rebellious.
This made me wonder why Paul was so concerned about the qualifications of elders that he would eliminate from contention people who have unbelieving children? Surely, an older person whose children grew up to lead their own lives shouldn't be held responsible for the beliefs that those children hold, should they?

Tit 1:9 - He must have a firm grasp of the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, so that he may be able both to preach with sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.
Here's another interesting requirement that Paul insists on for the leaders of this religion. They need to have a good understanding of their doctrine - good enough to be able to refute enemies. I'd think that in the course of preparing for this, they should all take the time to study and become familiar with the arguments of their enemies. This is why I assume all church leaders, especially seminary-trained ministers are culpable in the perpetuation of this religion, and why I consider them to be the greatest enemies of humanity.

Tit 1:10-14 - There are also many rebellious people, idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision; they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for sordid gain what it is not right to teach. It was one of them, their very own prophet, who said, "Cretans are always liars, vicious brutes, lazy gluttons." That testimony is true. For this reason rebuke them sharply, so that they may become sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths or to commandments of those who reject the truth.
Wow! Where to start on this one? First, Paul orders opponents to be silenced. I suppose he wouldn't have much cared for the American concept of "freedom of speech!" However, Paul appears to agree with the very prejudicial and perjorative statement about Cretans (meaning people from Crete, you see). Then Paul says that anyone who says this should be rebuked! Mind you, he thinks that this is the truth that he wants people to be rebuked for! Finally, he states that believers shouldn't be distracted by Jewish myths. Excuse me? I thought Christians were supposed to believe the Jewish religion, since Jesus was supposed to be the completion of the Jewish religion! Tack on a little addendum on the last phrase: not everyone who opposes Christianity hand out "commandments." Some opposition involves freedom.

Tit 2:3-5 - Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.
Paul puts an awful lot of responsibility on women. Not only are they supposed to stay "barefoot and pregnant" but they have the responsibility to be that way in order to keep the Bible from being discredited. As if the thing needed their cooperation to be propped up!

Tit 2:9,10 - Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior.
Here, Paul links God and Jesus directly to the idea that slavery is a perfectly acceptable situation, and that slaves have every responsibility to do their utmost for their "owners." I'll bet the black slaves in America heard this passage about every week in the Christian churches they were forced to attend after being sold at market.

Tit 3:1,2 - Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show every courtesy to everyone.
This is one little item rarely thought of by many Christians today. I particularly refer to people like abortion clinic bombers, gay bashers, KKK members, and all the fun people in the more wild-eyed branches of Christendom. Mind you, most Christians are pretty decent people - they try to follow the good teachings found in the Bible (what few there are!), and I applaud them. It's the kooks that get me down!

Tit 3:9-11 - But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. After a first and second admonition, have nothing more to do with anyone who causes divisions, since you know that such a person is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.
Again, Paul mentions genealogies! I wonder just what was the nature of this problem, that Paul had to mention it in more than one letter? However, now Paul has decided that anyone who argues in the church can be condemned, regardless of whether they have the beliefs he said were all one needed for salvation. The man must have dearly loved to tell people they were heading for hell!